Back in the swing

Andy Bichel is ready for Worcestershires C&G Trophy semi-final against Warwickshire on Saturday. By Ivo Tennant

The old pros would have had time for Andy Bichel. He possessed the pace and the ability to open the bowling in Test matches, but did not demur when made 12th man or when he was asked to come on first or second change, even if the ball was no longer swinging. When he came to play county cricket for Worcestershire relatively late in his career, his performances told of a continual desire for self-improvement.

Next Saturday Bichel will be looking to propel the county into the final of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy in their semi-final against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. His three wickets and unbeaten 45 in effect won the Twenty20 match between the two counties on Friday.

Blond, fit and muscular, an advocate of callisthenics rather than bar-room pleasantry, he is well aware that, as he is coming up to 34, there are not too many days remaining